Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. USC

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The Huskers enter November with a home blackout game against the USC Trojans. Nebraska comes in off a bowl-clinching win over Northwestern, while the Trojans arrive fresh off a bye. 

USC fell to then-No. 13 Notre Dame 34-24 on a cold, wet night in South Bend a few weeks ago, after failing to stop the Fighting Irish’s run game and suffering multiple turnovers on offense. The Trojans also allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after taking a 24-21 lead in the third. 

This both serves Nebraska well and hurts it after the Northwestern outing. Emmett Johnson chalked up 124 yards and two touchdowns on the ground on 27 carries against the Wildcats. Though not near Jeremiyah Love’s 228-yard performance against USC, the Huskers can certainly do damage to the Trojans in the run game, who are allowing 150 rushing yards on 34 carries against power four opponents. 

But if USC is looking to bounce back, it can start by shutting down Johnson and forcing Dylan Raiola to beat them in the air. Raiola’s been serving up a mixed 2025 campaign. Though he averages over 220 passing yards and 22 completions on just over 30 throws in power four games, he also suffers over four sacks and one interception in the same stretch. 

However, the Trojans surrender just under 241 passing yards on just under 18 completions and just over 28 throws per power four game. Purdue and Illinois put up yardage through the air, tallying over 300 yards each, despite only completing 24 and 21 passes, respectively. However, two goal line fumbles by Illinois kept the game close, while three red zone interceptions by Purdue resulted in 17 points for USC.

Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava is averaging just under 295 passing yards, just under 23 completions, and just over 34 throws in power four games. This is a challenge for the Huskers’ secondary, which only surrenders just under 149 passing yards on just over 16 completions and just over 27 throws per power four game. However, over the past few weeks, Nebraska’s aerial defense has shown leaks, which Maiava could fully expose Saturday night.

But with temperatures dropping to the low 40s, passing will be difficult, which could limit Maiava and Raiola. However, USC’s run game could tear apart the Blackshirts, with Nebraska allowing just over 174 rushing yards on just under 33 carries per power four game. 

Even with the Trojans without two of their top running backs, freshman King Miller has an opportunity to deliver a big night. Though he only tallied 70 yards on 18 carries against Notre Dame, he did break out 158 yards on 18 carries against Michigan, a team Nebraska struggled to run the ball against. Whether it’s by a slow burn or massive gains, Miller is bound to put up numbers. 

For the Huskers, another issue is the line. While Raiola’s been taken down a lot throughout the year, Maiava’s been sacked only five times this season. USC’s defense, meanwhile, put up 12 sacks across five power four games, while Nebraska’s only put up seven through six power four games. 

This is the major factor in the game. With both teams likely limiting the number of passes, it comes down to which team can get into the backfield more. The Trojans hold this advantage mightily and, unless Nebraska’s special teams can pull out multiple big plays, they’ll likely walk away with the win. 

Score Prediction: USC 38, Nebraska 27

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. USC

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